My Life In Exile

I land in darkness,
a winter’s morning, realise sharply
how my new life lies ahead of me
like a reflection, a shadow.

At the terminal’s open door,
my first breath of new air.
Outside, the trees growl with oyster-catchers,
their strange swarm gathering at my eyes.

They take to the sky, evaporate,
their music breaking across a grey dawn,
a symphony harmonised
by the howl of departing aircraft.

Suddenly, I want to be one with them,
offer songs of the sweet things I am and know.
But when I open my mouth,
my voice, like my memory, disappears.